Cong. Gutknecht Letter
03/26/2005
Dear Friends,
I’d like to open by joining all who have expressed shock and sadness about the Red Lake Indian Reservation school shooting that prematurely ended the lives of ten people. This event was nothing short of a tragedy. Our collective hearts ache for all involved and we pray that they can find comfort in one another.
I would also like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Specialist Travis Bruce. Bruce, 22, was killed in Iraq on Wednesday morning. He was a member of the Army military police and a 2002 graduate of Rochester Mayo High School.
Southern Minnesota weeps today. While nothing we can say will salve the wounds that will never heal, the best we can say is that we’ll never forget. We’ll never forget that Travis Bruce made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting freedom and democracy across the globe.
I hope that it will bring some solace to his family to know that thousands are praying for them and a grateful nation will never forget his sacrifice.
This week I was in Germany as part of the 22nd Annual Congress/Bundestag Seminar. As chairman of the Congressional Study Group on Germany, this visit allowed us to discuss a number of important issues, including international security, trade and agriculture.
The most important discussion was about European Union’s proposed lifting of its 15-year Chinese arms embargo. In our meetings with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, we were able to illustrate why the arms embargo against red China is necessary.
I joined 13 of my House colleagues in sending a letter to House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio). The letter urges pension reforms being considered in the House allow vested employees a choice when companies change their pension plans.
In response to requests from vested employees who live and work in the First District, I have repeatedly has co-sponsored amendments to protect employees from being forced to convert to “cash balance” plans. We should allow vested employees the choice to convert to the new plans or remain in their current plan.
Applications are now being accepted for nominations to the United States Service Academies for classes entering the summer of 2006. Young men and women interested in applying to the Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Military Academy and/or Naval Academy should send a letter of interest to 1530 Greenview Drive Southwest, Rochester, Minnesota 55902.
Applicants must be unmarried United States citizens with no legal dependents. They must be residents of the First District who are at least 17 years of age but not past their 23rd birthday on July 1, 2006. They must take either the SAT or ACT college-entrance exam and have the scores sent to my office. Nominee selections are based on test scores, class rank, grade point average, school records, extracurricular activities, leadership potential, motivation and recommendations.
Applicants are responsible for submitting all required information in a timely manner and keeping it updated. To ensure adequate time to assess each candidate’s qualifications, the deadline for receipt of all necessary support information has been set as November 1, 2005. SAT/ACT scores will be accepted as they become available.
Students who have questions about applying for a nomination should contact Doug Altrichter in my office by calling toll-free (800) 862-8632 or (507) 252-9841, or go to my website at http://www.gil.house.gov/services/acads.htm.
As co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus Telecommunications Task Force (House Farm Team), I’m pleased Level 3 Communications decided to pull their petition to the Federal Communications Commission. Level 3 had argued that it should be able to pay lower fees to local telephone companies. This petition would negatively impact rural telecom companies and should be resolved in comprehensive legislation.
I often say that we have many companies that are willing to serve Bloomington, but not as many to serve Blooming Prairie. The House Farm Team will continue working to ensure the rural telecommunications providers get a fair shake.
Earlier this month, members of the CRC wrote a letter to then-FCC Chairman Michael Powell urging him to oppose this petition. We wrote that the CRC had “strong concerns about the impact this petition would have on rural America.”
With best regards,
Gil Gutknecht
Member of Congress
Articles
Germany’s Epiphany
Editorial, The Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
In Love With Death
By Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal
Thursday, March 24, 2005
China, U.S. Interests Conflict
By Barton W. Marcois and Leland R. Miller, The Washington Times
Friday, March 25, 2005